Stokes trains with Durham, Sussex’s Coles makes double century

Ben Stokes trained with Durham on Saturday, after he was left out of England’s squad for the second Test against New Zealand for breaching a midnight curfew. Stokes and Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, who was also not considered for selection, were involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub while celebrating England’s victory in the first Test at Lord’s. Durham coach, Ryan Campbell, said that any decision on whether Stokes featured in Durham’s game against Northants on Friday was up to the player and the England and Wales Cricket Board “but I’ll definitely find him a spot”.

Stokes bowled in the middle before play and later had a bat in the nets, while on the field Durham ran rings around Derbyshire, who were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 118, with five wickets for Kasey Aldridge. They were 99 for four at stumps, Matthew Potts the sole incisor, and still 160 behind.

At Hove, James Coles waltzed to a glorious 224 not out, a maiden double century full of delicious strokes, including 11 sixes. He and Jaydev Unadkat added 103 for the last wicket, much to Glamorgan’s frustration. Sussex lost a man during the day as Henry Crocombe was called up by England as cover for Ollie Robinson, who was due a knee scan after complaining of soreness. Crocombe’s replacement was Dom Goodman.

The Blackpool tower covered its eyes as Lancashire were dismissed for 87 by Kent. Keith Dudgeon grabbed six for 21, while Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud, on his Kent debut, threatened from Stanley Park’s north end, finishing with three for 32. Kent then made merry, with an unbeaten century from Chris Benjamin, spraying sixes over the wall, and a studious 83 from Harry Finch.

Somerset finished a satisfying day at Trent Bridge with a 190 run lead and toe towards the tape. There were four wickets for Lewis Gregory and three for Jack Leach as Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 193. Earlier, Fergus O’Neill finished with a career-best six for 72 as Somerset’s last three wicket added only 16.

Leicestershire grabbed Essex’s last five wickets for 58 runs but still ended up following on at Grace Road. Jordan Cox was finally out for 204, then Leicestershire were 187 all out, Charlie Bennett and Simon Harmer taking three apiece and only Nick Kelly (78) resisting. Sheridon Gumbs, 22 and on debut, batted patiently opening the batting as Leicestershire closed on 51 without loss second time around.

While floats from the Northampton carnival danced past Wantage Road, James Bracey (72) and Graeme van Buuren (75 not out) rescued Gloucestershire from the doldrums of 56 for four, with a partnership of 148. Earlier, New Zealand’s Krisitian Clarke finished with six for 109 on Gloucestershire debut as Northamptonshire strolled to 465.

Yorkshire had the upper hand at Scarborough, collecting maximum batting points before reducing Warwickshire to 225 for seven; Toby Roland-Jones (four for 41) led the Middlesex attack as they bowled Worcestershire out for 265, a first-innings deficit of 74.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]